Sunday, December 27, 2009

Let's Bring It Back

Hello... to anyone who stumbles upon this. My attempt to have a running blog last winter basically came to an abrupt halt when SHIT HIT THE FAN at work. The hours got insane. I didn't get enough sleep. I barely had any time to myself. And when I did I was running...rather than blogging about it.

I can honestly say that I love running even more today than when I started this blog. RUNNING IS THE ONLY THING that got me through those horribly long hours that were demanded of me and what helped me to keep plugging along in a work environment with extremely poor job security. I wish I could share a happy ending with you in terms of my job, but I can't.

Wouldn't you know it, despite busting my ass, I did in fact lose my job. Not even a week after I successfully completed my first half marathon. Talk about ironic...feeling on top of the world...then getting stability ripped out from under you. The crazy part is that I actually remember thinking..."Okay fine. I lost my job but I ran a half marathon!" Just thinking about the race was reason for me to smile.

I ran the Monument Avenue 10k days after being laid off.

I'm not sure if anyone else has used running as a coping mechanism for difficulties in life but that is what it was for me. These days I'm a million times happier not at that job, but financially things are tighter. I enjoyed a break from a training regimen for a few months after the Shamrock Half/Monument Avenue 10k. I didn't stop running entirely; I went on 3 mile runs to stay in shape. If I was feeling adventurous I went on 4 or 5 mile runs.

However, after a few months of THAT, I decided I needed a goal to work toward. I signed up for the OBX Half Marathon without knowing anyone else who wanted to run it. My friend, Meghan, was training for the Army 10 Miler so I we went on a few long runs together. Me helping her train turned into me agreeing to run the Army 10 miler with her on top of the OBX half. What can I say, I like running?

I always had the idea in the back of my head that I was going to bring this blog back.
The archives are there. I wouldn't say any of the writing is incredible, but what was going through my head as I trained for my first half is a lot different than my perspective now. It's nice to look back and see where I came from.

I'm currently training for the 2010 Yeungling Shamrock Half Marathon in VA Beach. I liked that race so much last year that I wanted a second helping. This will NOT be the only long distance race I run in 2010. I've already decided that. I'm tossing ideas around in my head about other races. So, this time has come... To bring this blog back.